TRAINSIPPING

TRAINSIDE TASTING NOTES

Interesting Introductions

11/13/2013

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Jared
St. Louis

While waiting to board the train in Chicago,
I was sitting at a table hovering over my lap top. A man asked if he could join me at the table.
It appeared that where I was sitting
put me in a position where I was
cornering the market on coveted outlets.
He joined me at the table.
As it turned out,
Jared is a Master Sign Language Interpreter.
He has been signing for every 30 years.
As I had studied ASL for 3 years,
I was fascinated w/his profession & his stories.
We've become Facebook friends,
and I look forward to one day sipping with him
at a wine bar he mentioned in St. Louis.
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Nick
​& Sylvia
Milwaukee

When you take the train across the country,
you are seated in the dining car
with people who are perfect strangers.
It's a neat way to meet new people over a meal. One lovely couple I met was Nick and Sylvia. Nick studied Latin extensively
at the University of California,
but then he changed directions
and got his law degree.
However, he shifted his course once again
and became a manuscript editor.
Sylvia was a substitute teacher for some time, but before that she was a belly dancer.
The two of them were on their way to LA
for an old school radio show convention.
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John
​Atlanta

Another introduction made during a dining session was with a gentleman named John.
Until only very recently
(when I had a conversation with an editor in LA whose entertainment value I'm enamored with),
I have never laughed so much at the dinner table as I did that evening with John
and the two other gents that we sat with.
It seemed that no topic was left untouched,
as we shared stories about nearly anything
and everything there is to talk about.
Disclaimer: I noted above that John is from Atlanta. I don't know that I got that right.
(John, if you read this, please let me know.
I can be reached via [email protected].)

Rodel
DC

Writer & Director
I was sitting in the observation car,
when I a guy took the seat next to me. Not sure how the conversation started, but it didn't stop anytime soon.
We spoke of our pasts
and spoke of plans for the future.
He inspired me, and I tried to reciprocate as best as I could.
He's one of those special people
that you can't help but love
almost immediately.
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I never had a brother,
but I felt like I had 2 by the time we stepped off the train,
when we arrived in LA & spent the day together.

Ron
CHICAGO

Musician
When the train made a stop in Albuquerque, I stepped off to stretch & so did Rodel who introduced me to a guy that sat next to him on the train.
His name was Ron.
From the moment on,
the three of us were inseparable. Conversation came naturally,
as we shared music, wine & stories.
I consider them both
'brothers from other mothers'.
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Wine + Wardrobe

11/11/2013

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My favorite wines are both elegant and edgy. That said, I thought it appropriate to select a wardrobe with these same characteristics. Cheers to fashion expert, Dawn Campbell (owner of Elizabeth Halsey), for providing a clothing collection I look forward to raising my glass to!
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WHEN IN LA

11/6/2013

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Union Station

On the train from Chicago to LA, I made many new friends. Robel & Ron are two of them. When we got off the train at Union Station in LA, each of us had the morning to kill. So, we thought we'd do it  together & explore downtown LA.
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(Did you know that Bordeaux is a sister city of Los Angeles? It is.)

When in LA,
stay downtown.

I had the great pleasure of staying downtown while in LA. I stayed in a dear friend's condo located only 2 blocks from the Staples Center. I had the opportunity to explore downtown by day and sleep above the city by night.
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When in LA,
sip at Hotel Figueroa.

You don't have to be a guest at the hotel to frequent their poolside bar adorned by an ornate garden, sculptures and strategic mood lighting. I made a stop at Hotel Figueroa every night while in LA. Once a place where vintage film stars frequented, it's ornate & original.

When in LA,
film on rooftops.

Rooftop filming has its perks - one of them being the view. On top of a building in LA's fashion district, I did a bit of film & voice over work on a project. (Sorry, I can't disclose the project details at this time. Stay tuned.) And after a day of work when there were still tasks to be done, I decided to grab my laptop & beverage and work from the rooftop hot tub.
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When in LA,
​eat at
The Original Pantry.

In this downtown LA diner, there are no locks on the door. Why? Because they never close. Twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week, you can experience the fastest breakfast service I have ever seen, with a full staff dressed in white shirts & black ties.
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When in LA,
go see the
​Kings.

What a fabulous way to end my time in LA! For my last night downtown, my dear friend, Ed, took me to an LA Kings game. It was the first hockey game I've ever seen, but I can assure you that it won't be the last. I'll be back. Loved it! Merci beaucoup, Ed!
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when in chicago

11/5/2013

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union station

From Grand Rapids, I took a train to Chicago.
I spent a day & a night in the city with my dear friend, Kelly Caird, before heading west to LA to film Season 3.
When in Chicago, there is a LOT to see & sip.
Here are my coffee, lunch & dinner recommendations:
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coffee: STAR LOUNGE COFFEE BAR

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Dark Matter Coffee has a place to sit & sip called Star Lounge Coffee Bar. To start the day, I stopped in and ordered a Gingersnap Trainwreck. Upon putting the cup to my lips I realized how interesting the drink's name was, considering I was about to board a train to LA in just a manner of hours. Coincidence? I hope so.

GINGER TRAINWRECK:
Espresso, Steamed Milk, Ginger, Cinnamon, Allspice, Cayenne & Honey

lunch: CARRIAGE HOUSE

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They call Chicago 'The Windy City' for a reason. It's windy. And when it's cold outside, it's icy windy. To escape the wind that was blowing me down West Division Street, I made my way through a covered entrance and found myself in the Carriage House. Ivory subway tiles and rustic wood beams were illuminated by vintage electric bulbs. I took a seat on one of the black leather benches that lined the perimeter of the room. Though I debated taking a seat on one of the wooden chairs solely because I adored their lovely, teal hue.
WREN'S RUM:
Aged Rum, Brandy, Apple Spiced Maple, Cider Vinegar, Lemon, Grapefruit & Angostura
CHARLESTON SHE CRAB SOUP:
Buttermilk Cracker, Crab Salad & Sherry Gastrique

DINNER: THE BRISTOL

With a chalkboard menu wall, hanging plants & vintage light bulbs accompanied by candlelight,
The Bristol invites you in with rich & rustic ambiance.
Here, the farm-to-table fare they prepare is 'snout to tail',
as they seek to elevate (not complicate) the dining experience.
The cocktails crafted at The Bristol are superb both on the palate & in presentation.
I sampled three from the cocktail menu (noted below), and while I loved each in it's own way,
the one I fell hardest for was the Black Diamond adorned with Rosemary.

BLACK DIAMOND
LARCENY BOURBON, AVERNA, GRAPEFRUIT JUICE, LEMON JUICE, ANGOSTURA & MINT

POIRE & ELDERFLOWER
GREY GOOSE LA POIRE, ST. GERMAIN, WHITE GRAPE JUICE & LEMON SOUR

SMOKED SICILIAN MANHATTAN
SMOKED BOURBON, AVERNA, REGAN'S ORANGE NO. 6
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Five menu options where explored and enjoyed,
as I tasted everything from Smoked Carrot Salad for starters to Basque Cake for dessert.
What I loved about every dish presented was that each individual ingredient was highlighted.
as opposed by hidden or masked by the overuse of one element or another.
Perfectly balanced, each dish had its own singular style.

SMOKED CARROT SALAD
SUMAC SPICED YOGURT, BARLEY, CRISPY KALE & BLACK OLIVES

SMOKED STURGEON
CARNIVAL SQUASH, CHESTNUTS & BALSAMIC

SAUTEED BAY SCALLOPS
CELERIAC MOUSSE, GRAPEFRUIT & FINGER LIMES

MILLERS FARM ROASTED HALF CHICKEN *
DILL SPAETZLE & CRUNCHY SALAD

BASQUE CAKE
CARAMELIZED PEARS & BUTTERNUT SQUASH MOUSSE

* For the record, this is the BEST chicken I've ever had.
I would take the train into Chicago (a four hour trip from where I live) just for The Bristol's chicken.
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wardrobe by elizabeth halsey

11/4/2013

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DONNED BY DAWN

It is very much an honor & pleasure to be dressed by fashion diva - Dawn Campbell (owner of Elizabeth Halsey Boutique). Fashions featued on the train for Season 3 of Trainsipping (from Chicago to LA) are ensembles selected by Dawn that ride a fine line between elegant and edgy. Be sure to tune in to future posts to see each outfit.
(BOUTIQUE PHOTOS ABOVE BY: SHERRI RUSSEL)
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